Idol: An idol can be a religious image or a person who people admire and maybe even seem to worship. (vocabulary.com)
“Koreans are so beautiful”. If you’ve ever hung out with anybody who likes Korean entertainment, or you yourself take and active interest in it, chances are you’ve heard this phrase being used before, or maybe you’ve used it yourself. I certainly have. And while the phrase is deeply problematic, such an opinion is expected because Korean idols are in every sense of the term made into ‘idols’, that is, crafted into a living representation of the word perfection.
As someone who has been invested in Korean entertainment for years now, I have watched how the Hallyu Wave has spread across India. The fact that people openly express their appreciation for Korean entertainment feels good to hear, especially when just a few years ago I was frowned upon for watching Kdrama and listening to Kpop. Many made racist and sexist comments on their appearance and especially mocked male idols for their “feminine” features and for wearing make up. However, the success of BTS has turned the tide. Those who once scorned Korean entertainment are now curious as to what it’s all about. And now, instead of hearing Korean idols being mocked for their appearance, there are several who appreciate Korean culture and idols for challenging the status quo by normalizing the idea that make-up is not gender specific.
There is no doubt that the worldwide success of Korean entertainment has helped in changing stereotypes and bringing about a social change. However, the massive appeal of Kpop has also led to an increase in fetishism.
Racial fetishism isn’t a new phenomenon. It’s been around for a long time but to hear Koreans being fetishized by young fans is a huge concern. Appreciating Korean culture is one thing, but wishing they could marry a Korean is another. While it is true that the industry itself creates, promotes and profits from this fetishization, fans forget or don’t understand that Korean idols and the export of Kpop is a carefully planned marketing strategy of not only the industry but the Korean government for economic and cultural gains and therefore not an accurate representation of the everyday Korean.
Saying Koreans are the most beautiful people is racist. You are objectifying an entire country and are essentially reducing human beings to a series of stereotypes to suit your own desires and expectations of how they should look and act. Everyone deserves to be treated as an individual rather than being viewed as a set of stereotypes. It is not wrong to appreciate and enjoy other cultures but it is equally important to be able to distinguish between appreciation and fascination merely on the basis of ethnicity.
The BookThirst 